California Governor Gavin Newsom is among the high-profile Democratic figures voicing their public support for Vice President Kamala Harris as part of the Democratic National Convention.
During Tuesday evening’s ceremony, Newsom delivered California’s delegates, which put Harris over the threshold and formally anointed her as his party’s candidate for the presidency.
In a conversation with Nikki Laurenzo, co-host of Nexstar’s Inside California Politics, Newsom described the personal relationship and long history he’s shared with Harris, who prior to becoming Vice President was one of California’s U.S. Senators, and was the state’s attorney general under Newsom’s predecessor Jerry Brown.
“I’ve gotten to know Kamala during the best of times and challenging times, and it’s just a point of deep, deep pride to be able to be here for her and with her on behalf of this remarkable delegation from home, the great state of California,” Newsom said.
While showing support for the presumptive Democratic nominee, Newsom also highlighted the stark differences between his longtime California political colleague and her opponent, former President Donald Trump.
“I was governor when he was President of the United States,” Newsom said. “We worked together through COVID, I dealt with him on emergencies large and small wildfires to droughts and floods. I know this man, I know his character. It is daylight and darkness, this choice for the American people.”
At one point considered a possible candidate for the White House in 2028, Newsom brushed off the suggestion of a possible Cabinet position in a Harris Administration in the interim. Instead, he reiterated that his focus for the time being is on his duties in the Golden State and preventing another Trump term.
“The consequences of falling short are catastrophic,” Newsom said. “Donald Trump, respectfully, in my humble opinion, is more unhinged than he’s ever been, and more dangerous than he’s ever been.”
In his conversation with Nexstar, Newsom described Harris as a “superstar” and assured the public that his party was in safe hands with her taking the reins from President Joe Biden and leading it into the next generation.
The Democratic National Convention is taking place in Chicago through Thursday with Harris expected to address the convention on Thursday.
“I think on Thursday night, she’ll paint a picture, not just about the proud past as it relates to her relationship with Biden and the success of this administration … but she can begin to paint a compelling fixture of the next four years of her administration on her terms,” Newsom said.